Finz Finds Rides: North East Lighthouse Ride

Florida has many lighthouses spread across the state, so I thought it would be great to have nice back road rides incorporating these interesting destinations.

- Steve Finz

I thought I would take a ride from one of my riding guide books “Scenic Rides To Florida Destinations,” and include it in this month’s issue. This ride is in northeast Florida and actually includes a ferry ride to one of the lighthouses. The total ride is 125 miles and should take you about 4 hrs (not including the time spent at each lighthouse).

The ride starts at Amelia Island Lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses in Florida. It is located at the northern end of Amelia Island. The lighthouse was built in 1938 and marks the inlet leading to St. Marys River. The light remains in operation, but the lighthouse structure is now a private residence. The lighthouse is not open to the public, except on Saturdays when the grounds are open for viewing for three hours only. The city also offers tours to the lighthouse twice a month.

Continue down the coast to the second of four lighthouses on this ride, the St. Johns River Lighthouse. To get to this lighthouse, you will need to take Ft. George Island - Mayport ferry (May be closed at certain times or days). The St. Johns River Light is a decommissioned lighthouse in Jacksonville, FL, which marked the mouth of the St. Johns River. It is located on the grounds of the Naval Station Mayport. Built in 1858, it was decommissioned in 1929. This lighthouse has a lot of civil war history associated with it.